New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-08


EXPLAINING HIS wITHDIAwAL-THE G. a. R-HIs
D,cNfry AND THE THRrATs OF VIOLENCE.
srIouIs July 7-Presidont Cleveland has written the
following letter to Mayor Francis. Withdrawing his &C
c.ptapce Of the invitation to visit that city at the time oil
the Grand Army encampmcnt:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, d c., July ., 1887
m. Hon DAVID Il. FRANCIS Mayor and Chairman.
MY DEAR SIR: when received the extremely cordial
and grafy invitation from the citizens OF 81 L@ls
rendered Sy bs Epea%p%ent Of the Grand
Army OF the Republic, had been eontenp,atiag 10.
eome time the acceptance of the invitation from tnat
ORGANIZATION TO the same eject and ha considered the
pleasure which it would afford me II IT should he possible
To meet not only members of the Grand Army but the
people of ST. Louis and other cities IN the west which
h occasion would give me an m S 20
however that when first confronted by the delegation OF
which you We're the head & of the
double invitation rendered me-. and express tne pleasure
1t would give nc to accept the same thereaer'H pos
Rnt the corality and sincerity of your presentation
rcinforced by the hearriness OF the people VINO sur
rounded yo so impressed that could not resist the
feeling which prompted me TO assure you ON the Spot
Republic at tine time designated II nothing happened IN
the meantime to absolutely prevent my leaving wash
Immediately upon the public Improvement OF tins
conclusion aGa r,pr t fe REPUBLIC and
increasing In volume and yr'ence constralned Inc 10
s"ns reerrei to 70 to the extent Of declaring that
would be unwelcome guest ut the time ana place o.
well as can Judge upon certain official acts OF mine
involving important public interests. done under the
nos appear to aoeord with the Of members
OF the brand Army Of the Republic ,o,,,s.a ,,,or
refuse believe that this organization founded upon
patriotic ideas composed very largely OF men 70
lasting homer and cen.asraon an0 CITIZENS as
well as veteran soldiers deems II part OF us mission 70
compass any object or purpose by 70 natnO
and executing the laws And yet the expressions 10
nd auek n 20
should be harmonious peaceful ana cordia tha' inc!
beg YOU to understand that not conscious Of
any act mine which should make me fear to meet te
Grand Army OF the Republic Other assemDlage q
my fcow.citzens The account OF my official steward
ship always ready for presentation 10 my county
men / should be frank II failed to confess while
disclamjng ali resentment that have been hurt by the
unworthy anu wanton attacks upon me growIhg po VI
sections and motives have been Inisrepresened both
publicly and privately. for which, however, sne cram
Army OF the Republic, as body' Is oy ho "eAn'
The threat of personal violence and harm in case .
undertake the trip question, which scores OF mis-
guided unbalanced men under the summation OF ehca
feeling have made are po sssn aDd Ssspnt your
szens might. II alone were concerned submit 70 'he
70 .ss DPs at the
should bear with there the peoples hignes o me-
sss NY Of % ay Of tie Republic as an organize
ton nor anything like majority OF Its members would
ever e am ms%Sershp Of this body there
come as certainly seems 20 he the case "
campinent believe they should be permitted to do 80
unresrained by my presence as guest OF thclr
zation or IA guest hOspable city In when their
meeting is held number Of Grand Army posts nsve
sgnied their intention. am niorInea' 70 re ~ w.
from the opcampinent IN visit the cty at uat
time Without considering the merit OF sucn an EXCUSE
feel that ought not TO be the Gauss o, sncn non
atteodance The time and place or the encAmpnenn'
were liked long before my invitations were Icc,ren
Those 70 aons IN .So s Se permitted to
interfere with their intenuons -... tho, all
Another consideration VI more importance man nu
others remsias to be noticed Ihe iaet wss Of The
citizens of ST. Louis that the coming h,S g.,
Grand Army OF the Republic would be the nrst heia III
Deasing Incident of the fraterDa feeling fast gaining
ground througho the entire land and hailed oy every
patriotic citizen earnest that the Union nns f9a
and In fact been saved In sentiment ana spri"n I'll ~o
benefits 1t vouchsafes 70 a united people -. .,a
cannot rid myself OF the belief that the least usco
this propous occasion might reard me PROCESS
Army OF Republic has good an opportunity 70 IN
crease and foster certainly ought not 70 be tho cause
n ms that Won and the citizens of 81 Louis are entitled
10 ths unrcseryed statement VI the condtions wbon
have constrained me TO forego my contemplated Visit
and to withdraw my acceptance OF your Invitation ,,
Nv cressnce in your city at the time You have ind
Gated can OF but little moment cemparea VIII ans , M
portance Of cordial and harmonious y.
Without tine cast personal feeling or rsgret
0ereto by sense Of duty, actuateo by dcsIe " . ~,
sny smbsrrassnens e the people mi o. a. grateful spprs
Nat.on Of the snosrs and unafcctes Kindness Oh your
citizens. A., .....,. NJ, ,,uc;,
peeinsss and that its proceedings may illustrate tne
highest patriotism Of American ciiizenshg am yours
verv sincSrslr GROVER CLEVELAND
~ TO AVOID THE PRESIDENT AT CLINTON
UrIcA, N. Y, July THE four Grand Army posts
- ~ IN